Composer, Canton Symphony bring musical life to 'A Secret Gift'

Composer Eric Benjamin recalls creating the music based on "A Secret Gift" book by Ted Gup that will be part of Canton Symphony Orchestra's concert — "A Very Canton Christmas" — Sunday at Umstattd Hall.

WHAT "A Very Canton Christmas"WHEN 3 p.m. SundayWHERE Umstattd Hall, 2323 17th St. NWWHY The performance of music written by Eric Benjamin, based on "A Secret Gift" by Ted Gup, as part of the traditional holiday pops concertWHO Canton Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with One Book, One CommunityHOW Tickets are $18, $24, and $28, and they can be obtained through Canton Symphony Orchestra by visiting www.CantonSymphony.org or calling 330-452-2094. Senior, student and group discounts are available.DETAILS Dress is casual, and the concert is appropriate for people 8 and older.

That was how composer Eric Benjamin recalled creating the music based on "A Secret Gift" book by Ted Gup that will be part of Canton Symphony Orchestra's concert — "A Very Canton Christmas" — Sunday at Umstattd Hall.

Reading the letters in Ted Gup's book about the Christmas generosity of his grandfather in 1933 — Sam Stone, who gave small financial gifts to 150 families in need — "sent chills down my spine," he said.

"I thought that this really does call for music," he remembered. "And for the narrator, I thought maybe we could even get Ted Gup himself."

Gup agreed to assume the role of narrator Sunday afternoon when the music Benjamin composed for "A Secret Gift" is performed during Canton Symphony Orchestra's traditional holiday pops concert. That narration will consist of excerpts from the book. Individuals from the community will read some of the letters.

"I think it's a beautifully written book," said Benjamin. "It read so rhythmically."

The concert is being presented as one of several special events in the Mayor's Literacy Commission's One Book, Once Community literacy program, for which "A Secret Gift" is this year's selection. In addition to the Sunday concert, Benjamin's music also is being performed today for grade-schoolers at a Canton Symphony "Young People's Concert."

"When I read the book, I saw it as a production," said Michelle Mullaly, executive director of the symphony, who noted that Benjamin's music will be preceded by the symphony's regular program of holiday carols and audience sing-along music.

The orchestra will be joined during the concert by Canton Youth Symphony, Canton Symphony Chorus, McKinley Senior High Singers and the Canton South High School Symphonic Choir.

In a media release from Canton Symphony, Benjamin called it "an honor to contribute to the legacy of this tremendous story and bring it to life in music."

"The Canton area represents such a rich legacy of charity and kindness," said Benjamin, the music director of Tuscarawas Philharmonic Orchestra and the Alliance Symphony.

The composer gave those attending a recent lecture program at Wm. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum a taste of the music inspired by "A Secret Gift." And he detailed his writing of the 45-minute piece.

"I loved the whole process," said Benjamin. "The story itself was so moving, and it was important to me to be able to work with the Canton Symphony Orchestra on something that has become so much a part of the community's heritage."